Hansi Flick has given Armel Bella-Kotchap his debut Germany call-up for the UEFA Nations League, but could still call on several players yet to declare for the Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
Die Mannschaft play their final competitive fixtures before flying out to the Middle East in November against Hungary and England. Germany host Nemzeti Tizenegy at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on September 23 before visiting the Three Lions at Wembley on the 26th.
Flick’s side can still top League A Group 3 after their final Nations League fixtures, with one point currently separating Germany in second and Hungary. England need to take points in their encounters with Italy and Die Mannschaft to pull away from the bottom of the table.
Flick has given Bella-Kotchap a maiden senior Germany call-up for the Nations League ties with Hungary and England. The 20-year-old has previously featured at youth level with Die Mannschaft at U18 to U21 levels, but was also eligible to declare for France or Cameroon.
The centre-half was born in Paris in 2001, and is the son of former Cameroon international Cyrille Bella. But Bella-Kotchap has chosen to play for Germany, the country where he was raised and started his career in 2005 until this June when joining Southampton for £9.5m.
“I didn’t know the number,” Bella-Kotchap said, as quoted by Kicker, of his call-up to Flick’s Germany squad for the UEFA Nations League. “I was very surprised, but also very happy.”
The 6 ft 3 enforcer may debut for Germany after just 22 Bundesliga and six Premier League outings so far in his fledgling career. Bella-Kotchap made his top-flight breakthrough at VfL Bochum in 2021/22 after 44 second-tier games with them, before he joined Southampton.
Still, Flick could follow Bella-Kotchap’s inclusion by calling up a host of players who are yet to declare their international allegiances before the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar this year.
Borussia Dortmund gem Moukoko could be the next player to declare for Germany
Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko could be among the next players after Bella-Kotchap to declare for Germany. The 17-year-old has already featured at youth level for Die Mannschaft, but is also eligible for Cameroon after being born in Yaounde in 2004.
Germany have sought to keep Moukoko’s rise under watch with caps at U16, U20 and U21 levels since 2017. He has also flourished at U21 level with six goals over his first four caps, having hit the back of the net at least once every time he has stepped onto the U21 pitch.
Moukoko has taken his attacking potential to the senior stage with Borussia Dortmund, as well. He boasts seven goals and four assists in 46 appearances across all competitions so far after striking his latest effort off the bench to beat rivals Schalke 1-0 in the Bundesliga.
The striker hit the record books with his goal in the Revierderby, too. Moukoko is now the youngest-ever scorer in the fierce rivalry, along with being the youngest-ever Bundesliga player, scorer and the youngest gem to debut for Germany U21s at 16 years and 286 days.
Germany can avoid potential Knauff snub by calling up Ghana-eligible winger
Germany can avoid a potential snub further along the line by calling up 20-year-old Ansgar Knauff before Ghana declare the winger as a player of their own. The forward is eligible for both nations as he is of Ghanaian descent, despite him being born in Gottingen, Germany.
Ghana are keen to lure Knauff’s commitment to the Black Stars after impressing on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt from Borussia Dortmund. Sports World Ghana reported in May after he helped Die Adler win the Europa League that manager Otto Addo met him and his family.
Addo sought to hold discussions with Knauff and those close to him over a possible future with Ghana. And with the youngster showing his versatility, as well as attacking potential with Eintracht Frankfurt, the Black Stars are unlikely to give up their chase without a fight.
Undav may consider declaring as a Turkey player amid Germany wait
Deniz Undav must be considering his international future at 26 years old, having yet never featured for Germany or Turkey at any level. The striker was born in Achim, Germany but is also of Turkish citizenship. Yet his domestic displays are yet to return a single cap to date.
The 2022/23 campaign has not yet seen Undav at his best since he joined Brighton & Hove Albion from a loan spell with Union Saint-Gilloise last term. He stayed on for the latter half of the season after agreeing a £6m switch to the Amex Stadium side under Graham Potter.
Undav remaining at Union Saint-Gilloise was a godsend for the Stade Joseph Marien outfit, as he helped Les Unionistes finish second in the Jupiler Pro League table and qualify for the Champions League third qualifying round with 25 goals and 10 assists over his 33 matches.
Nigeria could put Germany plans to the test with an approach for Schade
Nigeria could put Germany’s plans for the future to the test by launching an approach to poach Kevin Schade of SC Freiburg. The 20-year-old has so far featured at youth level for Die Mannschaft’s U18, 19, 20 and 21s, but is also eligible to declare for the Super Eagles.
The Potsdam, Germany native is the son of a Nigerian, and is now finding his way back to full fitness after returning in September from an injury he sustained this March. Even with the issue, Brentford sought to secure his transfer to the Premier League over the summer.
Reports by Sky Germany, as cited by Get German Football News, noted the Bees explored a €20m (£17.5m) move after seeing a €15m (£13m) bid fail. And it seems like the fast and versatile winger has been considering his future at the international level in a clear way.
“I could play for Nigeria, but I don’t really feel drawn there,” Schade said in October 2021, via quotes by Bulinews. “I was born and raised in Germany. Hence, I play for Germany.”
AC Milan move may not be the only change for Thiaw in 2022
A move to AC Milan over the summer may not be the only change for Malick Thiaw in 2022 with a future possible with Germany and Finland. The Rossoneri paid Schalke €7m (£6m) in August for the versatile 21-year-old who can play at centre-half, right-back and in midfield.
Stefano Pioli swooped for the centre-half after he helped his former academy club regain a place in the Bundesliga. Thiaw featured 31 times over the 2021/22 2.Bundesliga campaign and offered two goals, following one in 23 top-flight outings across 2019/20 and 2020/21.
His performances at the VELTINS-Arena resulted in Thiaw earning his Germany U21 debut in September 2021. The breakthrough marked his first match on the international stage at any level for any country with the Dusseldorf native eligible for Die Mannschaft or Finland.
Germany can add a versatile player in Uzbekistan-eligible rock Anton
Germany could add a versatile and uncompromising player to their World Cup plans with a first call-up for Uzbekistan-born Waldemar Anton. The 26-year-old made 11 caps with Die Mannschaft’s U21 side from 2016 to ‘19, but has yet made the step up to the senior level.
Anton also captained Germany’s U21s on one occasion, before falling to the fringes of the junior side under Stefan Kuntz. His lack of international action has not stopped the centre-back – just as capable playing in front of the defence – from enjoying a strong club career.
His robust presence and strong ability on the ball has seen Anton become an integral part of VfL Stuttgart’s backline. Even through his team’s troubles at the wrong end of the table, Anton has offered a no-nonsense body to help secure five draws whilst seeking a first win.
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